Despite the ongoing difficulties and trying circumstances our second-tier leagues have faced, the development of young stars looking to burst onto the NRL scene has not slowed down.
Namely, with the NSW Cup's constant crop of future household names, it will be hard to draw our attention away from the next line of NRL stars despite the aforementioned setbacks.
With this in mind, we take a look at five of the best NSW Cup prospects to keep an eye on in the future.
2. Kurt Falls
Penrith Panthers - Halfback
Falls is a playmaking half that had a strong 2021 NSW Cup season, which awarded him his maiden first-grade deal with the Panthers.
The talented halfback is a local Penrith junior that played alongside club captain Nathan Cleary at St Dominic's college as a schoolboy.
JUST IN: Penrith have announced the re-signing of 24-year-old local junior and playmaker Kurt Falls on a two-year deal. Heโll join the clubโs top 30 roster next year #PantherPride
— Nathan Taylor (@NateTaylor87) April 23, 2021
An older recruit at 24 years of age, Falls often uses his age as an advantage to fuel his great form. A good passer that often moves his team around the park with conviction, Falls is a highly accurate place-kicker and often finishes off his teammates good work.
He will need to wait in the wings behind Cleary but will of course be in frame for selection for the upcoming 2022 NRL season given Matt Burton's absence.
Falls led the reserve grade competition with 3,866 kicking metres this year.
